News outlets report the state Education Professional Standards Board voted Monday to waive the condition for teachers to move from Rank III to Rank II. Teachers were required to earn Rank II through a board-approved master's degree program in their first 10 years of teaching.
State Interim Education Commissioner Wayne Lewis says there isn't evidence suggesting teachers having master's degrees leads to increased effectiveness.
He says teachers should be able to choose when it's appropriate to pursue master's degrees. Officials believe teachers will still seek to ascend the ranks because incentives remain.
The Kentucky Education Association is against the board's decision. The teachers union tells WKYT-TV in a statement that education for its own sake should be respected.
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Information from: WKYT-TV, http://www.wkyt.com
